1808 Madeira Kassab Sercial Fortificado

Description

Braheem Kassab was a Syrian embroidery merchant born in 1891. After arriving on the island of Madeira in 1916, he established himself throughout the Portuguese archipelago just two years later, continuing his embroidery business. Initially Braheem’s brothers stayed in New York to run the retail operation, but by 1921 Braheem was already running the company alone. A major turning point in his life was about to come. During the Great Depression, the local bank Reid‑Castro ran into financial trouble, and Kassab lent money to the institution. At that time, about 900 bottles stored at the Madeira Wine Association were pledged as collateral for the loan. Two years later, in 1933, Braheem invoked this collateral when the bank could not meet its obligations. He also purchased another 3,700 bottles from William Reid and additional ones from Padre Vale, although from 1934 he ceased investing further. Although Braheem did not drink wine, it was served to his guests, and he stored the stock in the family house at Quinta Vinsano, in Ajuda, located between Funchal and Câmara de Lobos. The collection remained intact for a significant period and was not auctioned until 1970. The bottling year may not match the image shown. (Illustrative image only)